Injector razor and head assembly

ABSTRACT

An injector razor head assembly includes a stationary head member having a cap and a downwardly extending rear wall supporting side flanges defining upwardly opening notches, a blade support member and a spring element seated in the rear wall notches and biasing the blade support member into nesting, bladesecuring relation with the head member cap.

United States Patent 3,872,589

Braginetz Mar. 25, 1975 [54] INJECTOR RAZOR AND HEAD ASSEMBLY 3,369,295 2/1968 Russell 30/62 [75] Inventor: Paul A. Braginetz, Summon Va. 3,374,540 3/1968 Looguyon 30/62 Assigneei Philip Morris Incorporated New Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith York, NY. Assistan! Examiner-Gary L. Smith [22] Filed: Apt 22, 1974 Attorney, Agent, or FirmWatson Leavenworth Kelton & Taggert [21] Appl. No.: 462,605

- [57 ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 30/62 [51] Int. Cl B26b 21/24 "Hector razor head assembly mcludes a summary 58 Field Of Search 30/62, 63, 64, 336, 65, h member having a and downwardly extendmg rear wall supporting side flanges defining upwardly 30/335 opening notches, a blade support member and a spring [56] References Cited element seated in the rear wall notches and biasing the blade support member into nesting, blade-securing re- 2 911 713 i S I PATENTS 30/62 lation with the head member cap.

u n 3,l78,8l4 4/l965 Craig 30/62 9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures INJECTOR RAZOR AND HEAD ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to injector razors and more particularly to improved razor head assemblies for injector razors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Injector razors, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,91 1,713, have razor head assemblies in which a blade support member, having a blade seat and a downwardly extending stem, is biased by a sheet metal spring element into nesting relation with a cap for securing a razor blade in cutting position. The cap extends forwardly from a downwardly extending head member seated in the razor handle and providing a stationary rear wall for the head assembly. To replace a blade, the key of a blade dispenser is inserted into a guideway formed between the rearward-side of the stem of the blade support member and the forward side of the stationary wall whereupon the blade seating member is displaced forwardly, releasing the used blade. A replacement blade is then injected from the dispenser into the head assembly, the used blade being ejected in the process.

In such prior art injector razor structure, assembly convenience is dependent upon the fabrication of parts of the head assembly with relatively detailed interfitting capabilities. Thus, the blade support member stem defines a recess within which the spring element may be disposed in such manner that the recess upper edge provides aline fulcrum about which the spring element is pivotable. Also, the head member stationary wall is stamped to provide a tongue extending forwardly thereof and the spring element is apertured and supported in such registration with the wall that the tongue extends through the spring element and is bent over the spring element aperture. Where the head, as assembled, does not meet use specifications, disassembly thereof involves reverse bending of the tongue and accompanying distortion of parts which can result in wasteful need for replacement parts in reassembly.

In one known effort toward simplification of such structure, shown in Belgian Pat. No. 804,415, the art has evolved a type of injector razor head assembly in which the stationary wall is formed with side flanges extending forwardly, defining a downwardly opening notch for receiving median lateral margins of the spring element and further providing forwardly opening shoulders against which is lodged the lowermost lateral margins of the spring element. In this arrangement, the spring uppermost portion resiliently engages the blade seating member with according simplification in blade support member structure and the rear wall and spring element are not required to be in tongue and aperture interfitting relation. Accordingly, the head assembly may be disassembled and reassembled without waste.

Structural integrity of this arrangement is ultimately dependent on exacting machining of the forwardly opening shoulders. Inward depth of the shelf of the shoulders need closely accord with the thickness of the spring element and,as such, the shoulders are necessarilyquite shallow. Furthermore, the shelf n'eed terminate inwardly at a sharp corner to properly seat the spring element. Where the machining operations involved in such shoulder shelf and corner making are not precise, e.g., where a corner is rounded, the spring element can seat incompletely and become unseated in handling or use since the boss continually exerts on the spring element a downward force promoting such unseating. Avoidance of this occurrence and resulting provision of fail-safe head assembly structure is assured only by tedious monitoring of machining operations and changing of cutting tools upon observation of marginal shoulder shelf and corner configurations not providing complete seating of the spring element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an injector razor head of simplified structure and providing fail-safe spring element retention without need for undue monitoring of manufacture thereof.

In the efficient attainment of this and other objects, the invention provides a head assembly for injector razors, constituting a self-supporting readily separable subassembly, comprising a head member having a forwardly extending cap, a stationary rear-wall having forwardly extendingside flanges defining an upwardly opening notch, a blade support member nestable with the head member to secure a blade in cutting position and a spring element biasing the blade support member into such nesting relation with the cap, the spring element including side lugs seated in the side flange notches and a base extending rearwardly into abutting relation with the stationary wall. The side flanges are preferably of different forward extent downwardly along the stationary wall to provide opposed generally U-shaped notches and to restrain the spring element base from sideward movement. As in the referenced known effort toward simplification, the head assembly of the invention does not require a recess in theblade support member providing a fulcrum for the spring and does not require deformable tongue and aperture interfltting of the stationary wall and spring element. Together with such desired simplification of parts thereof, the head assembly of the invention includes fail-safe spring element retention without'tedious concern in the manufacturing of parts of the assembly.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof and from the drawings wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a razor head assembly constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view partly in section of a razor handle supporting the head assembly of FIG. 1, the head assembly being viewed from plane Illl of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view in section of the razor handle and head assembly of FIG. 1 viewed from the plane III- III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the spring element of the head assemblyof FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, head assembly 10 includes a head member 12 having a forwardly extending cap 14 and a stationary rear wall 16 extending downwardly from the cap. Handle 18 includes a downwardly extending rearwardly disposed slot 20 in which the head member is securely seated. Handle 18 has customary lateral and vertical ribs 22a and 22b for nonslip gripping thereof and defines an upper compartment 24 rearwardly opening as best shown in FIG. 3 from front and opposed sidewalls 24a-24c, head member rear wall 16 closing the compartment.

A blade support member 26 is biased into nesting relation with cap 14 by a sheet metal spring element 28 whereby a blade 30 is secured in cutting position. The blade support member has a blade seat 32 supporting the usual soap bar 34 at the forward end thereof and provides the customary platform for the blade. One end 36 of member 26 is bowed outwardly to-direct the key of an injector blade dispenser (not shown) into a guideway 38 between downwardly extending stem 40 of the blade support member and stationary wall 16 of the head memberfAs widely known and discussed in the above referenced patent, upon entry of such key into the guideway, the blade support member is displaced forwardly of the rear wall whereupon the retained blade is displaced from its captive position with respect to cap 16 and may be readily ejected as areplacement blade is injected from the dispenser into the razor head assembly. Such inject-eject operation is facilitated by ears 42 and 44 of the blade support member which serve to further guide the key into the head assembly.

Referring to FIG. 4, spring element 28 comprises an upper portion 28a resiliently engaging the blade support member stem 40 and preferably a boss or projection 46 forwardly extending therefrom (FIG. 2). A generally middle spring element portion 281; extends downwardly from such upper portion and defines side lugs 48 and 50. A base portion 280 of the Spring element extends rearwardly from such middle portion into abutting relation with the stationary rear wall (FIG. 2). The spring element may include a still further portion 28d extending between the middle and base portions thereof and engaging the rear wall (FIG. 2).

Referring again to FIG. 1, the extent of rear wall 16 disposed below the blade support member includes side flanges 52 and 54 which define upwardly opening generally U-shaped notches 56 and 58 having front and rear sidewalls, successively spaced from rear wall 16. Such sidewalls are shown for notch 56 respectively as 56a and 56b in FIG. 2. In providing such notch sidewalls, the side flanges have lower extents extending further forwardly than upper extents thereof. Such extents are shown for side flange 52 respectively as 52a and 52b in FIG. 2.

In assembling the razor head, blade support member 26 is positioned in nesting relation to cap 14 with stem 40 situated in the channel formed between head member side flanges 52 and 54. Spring element 28 is inserted in the channel, portion 28c leading portion 28a, and with portion 28d in facing relation to the interior of wall 16. Side lugs 50 and 48 are forcibly seated respectively in notches 56 and 58 whereupon spring element portion 28a, in engagement with boss 46, resilientlybiases blade seat 32 against cap 14. Upward movement of the spring element is restrained by such biased engagement of portion 28a with boss 46, the boss exerting downward retaining force on the spring element. Upward release of the spring element, e.gL, for disassembly, is accomplished in fact only by applying upward force in excess of the downward force applied to seat the spring element during assembly. Downward movement of the spring element is restrained by the engagement of lugs 48 and 50 in notches 58 and 56. Sideward movement of the spring element is restrained since portion 280 is disposed within side flanges 52 and 54.

In the assembled razor, notches 56 and 58 and side lugs 48 and 50, as well as spring element base portion 28, are disposed interiorly of compartment 24.

various changes and modifications may evidently be introduced in the structure thus described without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the particularly illustrated and disclosed embodiment is intended in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The true spirit and scope of the invention is defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, in an injector-type razor, a head member having a forwardly extending cap and a downwardly extending rear wall including forwardly extending side flanges each defining an upwardly opening generally U-shaped notch, a blade support member nestable with said head member and having a forwardly extending blade seat cooperative with said cap to support a blade in cutting position and a spring element biasing said blade support member into such nesting relation with said head member, said spring element having an upper portion resiliently engaging said blade support member, a middle portion having side lugs each seated in one said head member notch and a rearwardly extending base portion abutting said head member rear wall.

2. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade support member includes a stem extending downwardly from said blade seat, said stem having a forwardly extending boss, said spring element upper portion resiliently engaging said boss.

3. The invention claimed in claim 1 further including a razor handle having an upper portion defining a rearwardly opening compartment and a lower portion defining a rearward passage extending downwardly from said compartment, said head member rear wall being seated in said passage and closing said compartment, said notches being disposed interiorly of said compartment.

4. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring element includes a further portion extending between said upper and middle portions thereof and engaging said head member rear wall.

5. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade support member includes a stem extending downwardly from said blade seat, said stern having a forwardly extending projection, said spring element upper portion resiliently engaging said projection.

6. A razor head assembly for an injector-type razor comprising a head member having a forwardly extending cap and a downwardly arcuately extending rear wall having side flanges defining a channel, the lower extent of each such side flange extending further forwardly from said rear wall than the upper extent thereof, each said side flange lower extent defining an upwardly opening notch having opposed sidewalls successively spaced from said head member rear wall, a blade support member nestable with said head member and having a forwardly extending blade seat cooperative with said cap to support a blade in cutting position, and a spring element biasing said blade support member into such nesting relation with said head member, said spring element having an upper portion resiliently engaging said blade support member, a further portion extending downwardly from said upper portion having side lugs each seated in one said head member notch and a base portion extending rearwardly from said further portion and in abutting relation with said head member rear wall.

7. The invention claimed in claim 6 wherein said blade support member includes a stem extending downwardly from said blade seat into said rear wall channel, said stem having a forwardly extending boss, said spring element upper portion resiliently engaging said boss.

8. A razor head assembly for an injector-type razor comprising a head member having a forwardly extending cap and a downwardly arcuately extending rear wall having side flanges defining a channel, the lower extent of each such side flange extending further forwardly from said rear wall than the upper extent thereof, each said side flange lower extent defining an upwardly opening notch having opposed sidewalls successively spaced from said head member rear wall, a blade support member nestable with said head member and having a forwardly extending blade seat cooperative with said cap to support a blade in cutting position, and a spring element biasing said blade support member into such nesting relation with said head member, said spring element having an upper portiontresiliently engaging said blade support member, a second portion extending downwardly from said upper portion and engaging said head member rear wall, a third portion extending from said spring element second portion and spaced forwardly of said head member rear wall and having side lugs each seated in one said head member notch and a base portion extending rearwardly from said spring element third portion and in abutting relation with said head member rear wall.

9. The invention claimed in claim 8 wherein said blade support member includes a stem extending downwardly from said blade seat into said rear wall channel, said stem having a forwardly extending boss, said spring element upper portion resiliently engaging 

1. In combination, in an injector-type razor, a head member having a forwardly extending cap and a downwardly extending rear wall including forwardly extending side flanges each defining an upwardly opening generally U-shaped notch, a blade support member nestable with said head member and having a forwardly extending blade seat cooperative with said caP to support a blade in cutting position and a spring element biasing said blade support member into such nesting relation with said head member, said spring element having an upper portion resiliently engaging said blade support member, a middle portion having side lugs each seated in one said head member notch and a rearwardly extending base portion abutting said head member rear wall.
 2. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade support member includes a stem extending downwardly from said blade seat, said stem having a forwardly extending boss, said spring element upper portion resiliently engaging said boss.
 3. The invention claimed in claim 1 further including a razor handle having an upper portion defining a rearwardly opening compartment and a lower portion defining a rearward passage extending downwardly from said compartment, said head member rear wall being seated in said passage and closing said compartment, said notches being disposed interiorly of said compartment.
 4. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring element includes a further portion extending between said upper and middle portions thereof and engaging said head member rear wall.
 5. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade support member includes a stem extending downwardly from said blade seat, said stem having a forwardly extending projection, said spring element upper portion resiliently engaging said projection.
 6. A razor head assembly for an injector-type razor comprising a head member having a forwardly extending cap and a downwardly arcuately extending rear wall having side flanges defining a channel, the lower extent of each such side flange extending further forwardly from said rear wall than the upper extent thereof, each said side flange lower extent defining an upwardly opening notch having opposed sidewalls successively spaced from said head member rear wall, a blade support member nestable with said head member and having a forwardly extending blade seat cooperative with said cap to support a blade in cutting position, and a spring element biasing said blade support member into such nesting relation with said head member, said spring element having an upper portion resiliently engaging said blade support member, a further portion extending downwardly from said upper portion having side lugs each seated in one said head member notch and a base portion extending rearwardly from said further portion and in abutting relation with said head member rear wall.
 7. The invention claimed in claim 6 wherein said blade support member includes a stem extending downwardly from said blade seat into said rear wall channel, said stem having a forwardly extending boss, said spring element upper portion resiliently engaging said boss.
 8. A razor head assembly for an injector-type razor comprising a head member having a forwardly extending cap and a downwardly arcuately extending rear wall having side flanges defining a channel, the lower extent of each such side flange extending further forwardly from said rear wall than the upper extent thereof, each said side flange lower extent defining an upwardly opening notch having opposed sidewalls successively spaced from said head member rear wall, a blade support member nestable with said head member and having a forwardly extending blade seat cooperative with said cap to support a blade in cutting position, and a spring element biasing said blade support member into such nesting relation with said head member, said spring element having an upper portion resiliently engaging said blade support member, a second portion extending downwardly from said upper portion and engaging said head member rear wall, a third portion extending from said spring element second portion and spaced forwardly of said head member rear wall and having side lugs each seated in one said head member notch and a base portion extending rearwardly from said spring element third portion and in abutting relation with said head member rear wall.
 9. The invention claimed in claim 8 wherein said blade support member includes a stem extending downwardly from said blade seat into said rear wall channel, said stem having a forwardly extending boss, said spring element upper portion resiliently engaging said boss. 